Candidate for
Council Member; City of Oceanside

It has been my honor serve and represent you on Oceanside's City Council since June of 2005. I have taken my position very seriously, and have worked very hard to do the best I can for you, the citizens of Oceanside. You trusted me with your vote last election, and I ask for your vote again on November 7th: so much has been accomplished, but there is much more to do. I get results, and I'm not done yet!

I believe in Networking to Get and Save Oceanside dollars: Many Oceanside residents live in a flood plain and clearing the San Luis Rey River was something that has been a priority for me. I attended a League of California Cities conference last year which focused on developing in and around flood plains; many experts attended the conference from all over California to discuss their issues related to development in flood plains. When the discussion portion of the conference came about, I took the opportunity to discuss the city's frustration with the Army Core of Engineers as far as clearing the river. Good discussion followed with the panel, and ideas that might help with the insurance issues came out from the State of California Water Resource Board panel (SCWRB). After I returned to my seat, several people came up to me and we continued discussion about residents living in flood plains and insurance. Two of the individuals were: Poway's City Attorney and City Manager. They had just completed clearing their river and had contact information for me. The told me how they were able to clear their clogged river: they declared a State of Emergency. I brought their information back and the City Manager contacted them--hence our State of Emergency and the subsequent clearing of the river.

In 2005, I attended the first ever State of California Funding Fair wherein the State discussed strategies which help cities make it through the States' "grant cut" list. Grants are very competitive--it helps the city when letters of support follow submissions as well as electeds having a good working relationship with agencies. When the city applies for grants, I actively seek out letters of support from environmental, competing, and educational agencies to `set Oceanside apart' from the rest. Thus far, we have been very successful in both receiving letters of support as well as the grant funding requested.

In 2006, I attended the American Beach and Shoreline Preservation Committee's annual conference. The City is a member of this association and normally attends annually. Much discussion was had on the economics of beaches, development in flood plains (federal flood insurance issues), and new legistilation that will pertain to beach and trail access for disabled persons. A General from the Army Core of Engineers took part in the conference, and I was able to get his "ear" after the discussion and talk about our situation in Oceanside--many of our citizens in the Valley are required to pay flood insurance, and it is important that we do what we can to relieve them of this burden. Also during that conference, I took the opportunity to meet with the City's lobbying firm and accompany them to Congress where I lobbied for funding for both the dredging of our Harbor, and clearing the San Luis Rey River, as well as grant funding for youth gang diversion programs.

I came to the council as an advocate for open and honest government, an independent voice with a willing ear and common-sense approaches to the challenges facing the city I love. Thank you for electing me to Oceanside's City Council, and thank you for taking part in shaping the city WE love!